A mechanically solid car, with minimal rust. Great for anyone willing to forgive the shoddy paintwork!
This car will be provided with a box of spare bits, and all the relevant oils (engine, gearbox, carbs, diff).
It has been garaged for the past two winters.
Rubber bumper model, replaced with Sebring style bumpers.
Selling to fund other projects. Sad to see it go, but I'd like to see someone get just as much enjoyment out of it as I have. In my ownership since May 2024
The good:
Tax and MOT exempt. Insurance is ~£100 a year!
Engine rebuilt in 2017. Runs absolutely fine. You could comfortably drive this car to Scotland. Does 25-35 MPG country driving.
Polybush suspension all round
15" MGC wheels with good condition Firestone tyres
Lightened flywheel (previous owner)
Balanced crank (previous owner)
Rebuilt carbs (previous owner)
Head skimmed in 2023 (previous owner)
Recent propshaft (previous owner)
Front discs and front wheel bearings (previous owner)
Sports coil (previous owner)
Uprated LED headlights
3/4" front anti-rollbar
Recent thermostat, fuel pump
Minimal rust. There are some authentic British Leyland rust patches, but nothing substantial. The drivers side chassis rail is probably the worst part of the underside, but is still solid (see pics!)
The underside has been lanoguarded by a previous owner.
Alternator recently replaced with a new unit.
Does not leak coolant!
MX5 seats. Comfy!
The bad:
The rear diff is creaky and does clunk. This is a known issue with these cars and is likely a worn thrust washer in the diff causing play.
The paintwork is awful. It has been resprayed from yellow to green.
The rear arches have been flared with polyfilla and optimism.
I replaced a rotten Webasto roof with an acrylic sheet. It works quite well but has developed some cracks. If I were to keep the car I'd replace this with a polycarb sheet with a UV resistant film (and use cap head screws).
Some oil leaks from the engine and gearbox. I have resolved the worst of these and don't have to top up the oil very reguarly, but you will have an oily driveway. It's a British Leyland car though, so it was probably like this from factory.
Rear window heater has corroded and does not work.
Fuel pump screams at you if you go below a 1/4 tank.
Track rod ends need replacing (I have these and will provide them to the buyer)
Exhaust resonates at ~3300 RPM